Most puzzles have interlocking pieces that fit together, and some have evolved to 3D versions and computer adaptations, but the end goal remains the same: to recreate the picture on the front of the box. Alex Beard’s line of Impossible Puzzlescombats the theory that a puzzle can only result in one picture. The Alex Beard Impossible Puzzlescontest encourages people to create their own puzzle art based on original works by Beard. In other words, the final result should notmirror the picture on the box cover. Each puzzle piece can be rearranged into a new composition, a new outline, a new image—a work of art of the puzzler’s very own. In the Impossible Puzzlescollection, some shapes have common outlines, so there is more than one choice for what can fit. The pieces do not snap into each other, but settle beside one another instead, making the puzzle exponentially more challenging. While there is actually only one correct piece that combines with its neighbors to assemble the puzzle as intended, the pieces can be combined in infinite ways to create new puzzles and new shapes.

To enter, go to a local Borders book store and find the Alex Beard Impossible Puzzlesdisplay. Then, create your puzzle art based on Beard’s brand new “Red Peacock” puzzle right there at Borders or purchase a “Red Peacock” puzzle and create your masterpiece at home. Once you’ve finished creating your work of art, go to www.alexbeardimpossiblepuzzles.com, fill out the submission form, and upload your photo. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on March 7, 2011. One Alex Beard Impossible Puzzles Contest grand prize winner will receive a new, original Alex Beard painting inspired by the winning entry. Twenty-five runners-up will each receive a signed copy of an Alex Beard Impossible Puzzle. Prize winners will be selected based on creativity and adherence to theme by Alex Beard.

New Products

The Singing Machine Co. Inc. launched its new sing-along product line for kids, including five products made for kids from preschool to elementary school. Highlights include the Mic Guy Bluetooth Sing-Along, Mic Guy Bluetooth Speaker Wireless Microphone, Candy House Sing-Along, Blackboard calculator, and MOOD. In addition, through its continued partnership with Stingray, The Singing Machine [...]

Horizon Group USA will expand its line STMT kits with new themes. Inspired by what’s hot in today’s lifestyle trends, these DIY activities for teens have a trendy, modern touch such as designing jewelry to creating home-spa experiences. The three new items in the line include the Hand Stamped Jewelry Kit, DIY Journal Set, and [...]

Mattel and Dash Robotics introduced of the updated and enhanced Kamigami, a build-it-yourself robot platform for kids inspired by insects. Kamigami is the brain child of two UC Berkeley PhD graduates, who previously used their expertise in robotics and biomimicry to complete projects for the U.S. Army and NSF. Kids can fold and snap flat sheets of [...]

YouTube star Karina Garcia launched a new brand, Craft City by Karina Garcia. Widely known for her DIY slime videos, Garcia partnered with Brandable to launch Craft City with the release of the first product, the Official Make-Your-Own Slime Kit by Karina Garcia, which is now exclusively available nationwide at Target both in-store and online. Garcia and Brandable started working together earlier [...]

Skyrocket LLC launched the Sky Viper V2450 GPS Streaming Video Drone, the company’s latest drone. The new drone features a return-to-home button, a built-in GPS, and is made with ArduPilot firmware and uses positional awareness for easy navigation. The new Sky Viper GPS Drone is one of nine different drones to choose from in the Sky [...]